On December 10 a California court of appeal heard arguments from Mr. Polanski's lawyers to the effect that his conviction should be dismissed due to judicial and prosecutorial misconduct in the earlier trial in 1978. The primary evidence brought forth by Mr. Polanski's lawyers is a statement made by a former prosecutor in a filmed interview that he improperly communicated ex parte with the judge about Mr. Polanski's sentencing. Both lawyers for Mr. Polanski and lawyers for the victim of Mr. Polanski's sexual conduct urged the court to dismiss the case. Lawyers for the State of California urged the appellate court to affirm the ruling of the trial court that Mr. Polanski did not have the right the challenge his conviction due to his unlawful flight from California. The appellate court should rule on the appeal in the near future.